Kimi Raikkonen was fastest on day three of the second pre-season test at the Circuit De Catalynua – Barcelona. The Ferrari driver was four tenths seconds faster than his former team-mate Felipe Massa in the Williams and Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg was third.
The Fin was slightly faster than his team-mate Sebastian Vettel best on the ultra-soft tyres which kept him ahead of Massa. While Hulkenberg was just in touch of Massa’s Williams.
Raikkonen also tried out the proposed ‘halo’ cockpit head-protection device that will be introduced into Formula 1 in 2017. Raikkonen drove with it for two laps with the aim of increasing protection from flying debris following a series of deaths and injuries across motorsport.
Massa put in a good performance in for Williams going second fastest just under two tenths down on his former team-mate. Williams pace may suggest they have made major gains over the winter. Hulkenberg set his fastest time on the super soft tyres to go third with his ultra-soft tyre time.
Max Verstappen also used the ultra-soft tyres to go fourth fastest for Toro Rosso. Both Mercedes drivers focused on the medium-compound tyres with Rosberg going fifth fastest while Hamilton was eleventh fastest as he is believed to have been focusing on his long runs.
Both McLaren and Sauber managed to do over a 100 laps with McLarens Fernando Alonso setting their best time of the winter on the super soft tyres.
Manor struggled with Pascal Wherlein only managing 48 laps. Haas fared better doing 78 laps but it was far from a smooth day with Romain Grosjean going of either side of the lunch break.
Day three fastest times
1 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:22.785
2 Felipe Massa (Brz) Williams 1:23.193
3 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Force India 1:23.251
4 Max Verstappen (Ned) Toro Rosso 1:23.382
5 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Mercedes 1:24.126
6 Felipe Nasr (Brz) Sauber 1:24.768
7 Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren 1:24.870
8 Pascal Wehrlein (Ger) Manor 1:24.913
9 Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Red Bull 1:25.141
10 Jolyon Palmer (GB) Renault 1:26.224
11 Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes 1:26.488
12 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas 1:27.196
